The Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
The use of information and communication technology (ICT) has altered how individuals, corporations, and governments generate and receive information, making it an essential component of everyone's life. We live in the information age, and the inclusion of ICT into all levels of operations has taken precedence, with new ideas arising every day. As a result, information sharing across borders has become considerably easier for individuals, government agencies, private enterprises, and businesses. ICT, like all other technology, has flaws, with cybersecurity being a major source of concern in many countries. As a way of aiding the competing team in the formulation of a well-researched and informative presentation at the International Cyber policy completion, this paper analyses cybersecurity strategies documented in the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO) and the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA). Further, this paper discusses and gives recommendations on the best approach when it comes to developing a national cybersecurity strategy.
Cyber Security and its Importance
Also known as information technologies security, cyber security refers to a group of tools, procedures, and practices aimed at protecting networks, devices, applications, and data from attack, destruction, or unauthorized access. Over the past decade, national governments and other organizations had first-hand experiences on effects of cyber-attacks thus pointing out the importance of prioritizing on cybersecurity, reinforcing the security and resilience of cyberspace and the crafting of strategies that address emerging security issues associated with the rapidly expanding use of ICT. Some of the threats to cybersecurity include but are not limited to cybercrime such as identity theft and fraud, cyber terrorism, political and economic sabotage and military espionage. Such threats from attackers and cyber threat agents take advantage of the vulnerabilities to wrongfully acquire information, secrets, and money with the intention of disrupting, destroying or threatening the smooth provision of essential services.
The Importance of National Cybersecurity Strategies
It is essential for all nations from developed to underdeveloped to formulate and enforce cybersecurity strategies at any given time. Firstly, the world has become a global village with the Internet connecting all corners. The rise of the speculation of cybercrimes performed by States has as a way of political and economic sabotage has made all governments invest a lot in securing their information. Secondly, unlike in poorly resourced nations, wealthy countries have the advantage of incorporating sophisticated ICT components. They also have skilled expertise whose areas of specialization and experiences enable them to identify potential risks and take effective measures before the attacks. On the other hand, developing nations are disadvantaged by the mere fact of the expensive software and hardware, and lack or presence of few ICT professionals to offer guidance and assistance in coming up with practical policies. Consequently, loopholes in their systems put them at a much higher risk of malicious attacks and threats. Monitoring and evaluating cybersecurity issues helps governments set key performance indicators. These indicators give frameworks and outline reporting formats while providing an interactive platform between all stakeholders. Furthermore, understanding the importance of national cybersecurity strategies encourages nations on investing on proper research and gathering of information and as a result, building on stronger and efficient systems.
Cybersecurity Guidelines and Principles of ENISA and CTO
ENISA and CTO both have similar principles and guidelines towards ensuring cybersecurity. They both outline universal standards that help their countries govern their cyberspaces, therefore, protecting their businesses and citizenry, creating favorable business hubs. They both work towards the development and enhancement of defense systems as a way of protecting their countries from threats. Both bodies provide principles that govern information sharing and access within their countries and by foreign nations helping them work coherently with transparency and confidence in the presence of security. ENISA and CTO work towards coming up with necessary infrastructures that support their governments in identifying and eliminating possible threats. Participation in International cybersecurity forums gives contributions that assist in the formulation of policies that can work across all nations in the world.
The Role of ENISA in European Union
ENISA provides guidelines to governments and institutions in the European Union and focuses on developing Internet security strategies for its members (ENISA, 2012, p. 2). ENISA's primary aim is on the carrying out risk assessments and challenges and defining the areas of interest of a cybersecurity plan. Secondly, it aims at identifying valuable recommendations for public and private stakeholders thus making countries more alert. Thirdly, ENISA helps EU countries develop, manage, evaluate and upgrade their national cybersecurity strategy. Finally, ENISA aims at playing a vital role in the amalgamation of the cybersecurity strategy within the pan-European countries.
The Role of CTO in the Commonwealth
CTO, on the other hand, is a partnership between the Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries towards the use of ICT developments in helping their member states improve their socio-economic status since its mission is in the provision of result-focused ICT leadership in the Commonwealth and beyond. The organization dreams of becoming a trusted partner for sustainable development for all through ICT. As a way of maintaining a competitive edge over other ICT bodies, CTO came up with a model that covers the shared values and principles of the Commonwealth as outlined in the Commonwealth Charter (CTO, 2017, p 3). The model works around four central policies that are unique to the Commonwealth. The first aspect commits members to the creation of a safe and an effective global Cyberspace. The second helps them focus on actions in Cyberspace that support broader economic and social development. The third emphases on ensuring that acts both individually and collectively aid in tackling cybercrime. The fourth and last aspect gives authority to members to exercise their rights and meet their responsibilities in Cyberspace.
Principles of Best National Cybersecurity Strategies
Having a thorough understanding of cybersecurity will give the competing team an advantage when it comes to explaining the best approach for developing a national cybersecurity strategy. It is vital for governments to appreciate the fact that other institutions working within its jurisdictions could be better positioned and have more sophisticated skills in handling cybersecurity issues (Moore, 2017, p. 30). Therefore the collaboration of all stakeholders gives these nations better strategies that counter all possible threats. Best national cybersecurity strategies works around six fundamental principles that include focusing on a risk-based approach, prioritizing on outcomes, are practicable, respect the privacy and freedom of other nations and finally can operate on a global platform. Developing a risk-based approach helps governments identify the actual risks, assess their impacts, come up with policies of tackling such threats, and develop ways of communicating their effects and methods of avoiding such risks. Again, ensuring that set strategies focus more on the outcome gives stakeholders the desire of guaranteeing security rather than focusing on the means to achieve it. Setting clear priorities and identifying the most critical assets be it in the protection of information or systems ensures that strategy development teams focus on what is essential and valuable to their nations.
The Significance of Practical Strategies and International Standards
Formulating strategies that are practical makes them easy to understand across the board thus making their implementation much more manageable. Every nation has unique beliefs and cultures that need consideration by teams coming up with strategies. It is of paramount importance that the freedom and privacy of the citizenry come first with the aim of making them comfortable and their cyberspaces more secure (Moore, 2017, p. 31). Taking note of international standards ensures that strategies put in place covers as many policies as possible allowing them to work with nations across borders. Finally, the documentation of milestones achieved so far in the fight against cybersecurity crimes assists in analyzing threats while checking on further trends.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cybersecurity threats are progressive causes devastating effects if not avoided in good time. As much the best policies and procedures are in place, Nations and all stakeholders both in the private and public sectors including all the citizenry must be knowledgeable and updates made with any new change in the cyber world. Governments ought to educate the public on the safe usage of the internet and ICT components. This way, the citizenry and all stakeholders will know that every decision they make while accessing the cyberspace not only puts the nation at risk but also their lives as well. Therefore, acknowledging that we all have a role to play in keeping the internet safe and the correct usage will create a safe environment for all. Finally, the participation in cybersecurity conferences at national levels gives them an added advantage towards tackling possible treats. Further, such forums provide room for networking and information sharing on best practices and policies on handling cybersecurity issues.
References
Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization. (2015). Commonwealth approach for developing national cybersecurity strategies. London, UK: Author. Retrieved from http://www.cto.int/media/fo-th/cyb-sec/Commonwealth%20Approach%20for%20National%20Cybersecurity%20Strategies.pdf
European Network and Information Security Agency. (2012). National cyber security strategies: Practical guide on development and execution. Heraklion, Crete, Greece: Author. Retrieved from
https://www.enisa.europa.eu/activities/Resilience-and-CIIP/national-cyber-security-strategies-ncsss/national-cyber-security-strategies-an-implementation-guide/at_download/fullReport
Moore, M. (2017). Cybersecurity breaches and issues surrounding online threat protection. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.
